Cockerill for Montferrand?

It’s a question of ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ for Leicester hooker Richard Cockerill as his Tigers’ side prepares for this season’s Heineken Cup final against Munster in a fortnight’s time

The former England hooker has been offered an extension on his current contract at Welford Road and a two-year contract to play for top French side Montferrand.

“I’ve had an offer from Leicester to stay here for two more years and there is interest from Montferrand who have offered me a two-year contract which I’m interested in,” said 31 year old Cockerill. “Montferrand are a good club and the French are probably the best scrummaging nation in the world. To be involved in that would be a fantastic experience. The easy thing would be to stay here, but I’m not the sort of person to take the easy option. I have got a lot of thinking to do with my career, my wife and family. If Montferrand had not come up with an offer I would probably have signed for Leicester.”

Cockerill is coming to the end of his playing career with Leicester and the new contract would give him a chance to peruse his publicly stated desire to try his hand at coaching. In a long and successful career, the 17 stone hooker has represented Leicester over 250 times, with over 30 Heineken Cup appearances.

“Dean [Richards] has been very understanding and it’s just down to me now. The ball is in my court. Leicester want a decision in the next couple of weeks because if I leave they need to find a replacement.”